The anticipation for Stranger Things 5, the final chapter of Netflix’s beloved sci-fi horror series, has reached a fever pitch, and fans have just received a thrilling update. Ross Duffer, co-creator of the show, recently took to Instagram to announce that post-production on the first two episodes of the season, titled “Chapter One: The Crawl” and “Chapter Two: The Vanishing of…,” is officially complete. With the editing, sound mixing, scoring, and color correction finalized, the Hawkins crew is one step closer to delivering its most gripping adventure yet. Here’s everything we know about this milestone and what it means for the show’s final season.
A Major Milestone for Stranger Things 5
The completion of post-production for the first two episodes marks a significant step forward for Stranger Things 5. Ross Duffer’s Instagram post, which simply read, “Chapters One and Two: locked, mixed, scored, colored, DONE,” sent fans into a frenzy, signaling that the series is on track for its highly anticipated release later this year. This update comes after a long production journey, delayed by the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which pushed filming to begin in January 2024 and wrap in October of the same year. With post-production now underway, the Duffer Brothers and their team are in the final stretch of crafting the show’s conclusion.
The first two episodes are poised to set the tone for the season, with Duffer teasing that the cold open for Stranger Things 5 will be the “craziest” yet. Fans can expect an explosive start, diving straight into the high-stakes battle against Vecna and the mysteries of the Upside Down. The completion of these episodes suggests that the production team is working efficiently, with visual effects—a cornerstone of the show’s cinematic appeal—already in progress since January 2025. According to the Duffer Brothers, the post-production process is even ahead of schedule, a rarity for a series known for its complex visual storytelling.
What to Expect from Stranger Things 5
Set in the fall of 1987, Stranger Things 5 will see Hawkins scarred by the Rifts, with the core group of heroes—Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and others—united in their mission to find and defeat Vecna, the sinister force behind the Upside Down’s terrors. However, the official synopsis hints at complications: Vecna has vanished, the town is under military quarantine, and the government is intensifying its hunt for Eleven, forcing her into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance looms, a “heavy, familiar dread” sets the stage for a final battle against a darkness “more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before.”
The season will consist of eight episodes, released in three parts: Volume 1 (episodes 1–4) on November 26, 2025, Volume 2 (episodes 5–7) on December 25, 2025, and the series finale on December 31, 2025. Each volume will drop at 5 p.m. PT, giving fans a thrilling holiday season rollout. With episodes described as “basically eight movies” by star Maya Hawke, the final season promises to be a blockbuster-scale experience, blending nostalgia, horror, and emotional depth.
The Editing Process: Crafting a Cinematic Conclusion
The completion of post-production for “The Crawl” and “The Vanishing of…” highlights the meticulous work behind Stranger Things 5. Post-production for a show of this scale involves multiple stages, including editing, sound design, scoring, color correction, and visual effects integration. Given the series’ reliance on intricate VFX to bring the Upside Down and its creatures to life, this phase is critical. The fact that the first two episodes are fully locked suggests that the team is staggering post-production to ensure each episode meets the high standards set by previous seasons.
The Duffer Brothers have a history of fine-tuning their work, as seen in their controversial “George Lucas-ing” of earlier seasons, where they made subtle changes to visual effects and dialogue to address continuity errors. However, they’ve clarified that no scenes from past seasons have been cut or re-edited, dispelling rumors about retroactive changes. For Stranger Things 5, the focus is on delivering a cohesive and impactful narrative, with the first two episodes setting up the season’s ambitious arc.
Fan Reactions and What’s Next
The announcement has sparked a wave of excitement on social media, with fans on platforms like X buzzing about the “craziest cold open” and speculating about the mysterious title “The Vanishing of….” The completion of these episodes has also fueled anticipation for the release of new promotional material, following the first teaser trailer and poster unveiled in July 2025. With post-production progressing smoothly, fans can expect more updates as the remaining episodes move through editing and VFX work.
The return of the core cast, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, and others, alongside newcomers like Linda Hamilton, adds to the excitement. The season will also see the return of fan-favorite pairings and dynamics from Season 1, bringing the story “full circle” while introducing fresh faces and challenges.
A bittersweet Farewell to Hawkins
As Stranger Things 5 approaches, the completion of post-production for its first two episodes is a promising sign that the Duffer Brothers are committed to delivering a memorable finale. With its blend of heart, horror, and 80s nostalgia, the series has captivated audiences since 2016, and the final season is poised to answer lingering questions about the Upside Down while wrapping up the journeys of its beloved characters.
As fans count down to November 26, 2025, the finished episodes signal that Stranger Things 5 is shaping up to be a fitting end to one of Netflix’s flagship series. Whether you’re Team Eleven or rooting for the entire Hawkins gang, one thing is clear: the final battle is coming, and it’s going to be an unforgettable ride.
